Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva’s post-match comments following their 2-1 loss to local rivals Manchester United have made waves, as he publicly criticized his teammates for what he described as a series of “stupid” decisions. The defeat came in a dramatic derby at Old Trafford, where City initially took the lead through Josko Gvardiol’s goal. However, two quick goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo turned the game around in the final minutes, leading to a painful loss for the Premier League champions.
The defeat marked a disappointing run for Manchester City, as they have now won just one of their last 11 matches across all competitions. This has left them with the lowest points per game in the Premier League since early November, a statistic that highlights their ongoing struggles.
In the aftermath of the match, Silva, visibly frustrated, expressed his anger at the team’s performance, especially in the final stages of the game. He told Sky Sports, “We totally deserved what happened because at this level, if it’s a game or two, you can say they are being lucky or not. If it’s 10 games, it’s not about that.” He pointed to critical mistakes in the dying minutes of the match, specifically referencing the series of events leading to Manchester United’s equalizer from a penalty. Silva explained that despite City’s dominance until the 86th minute, poor decisions allowed United back into the match, including a moment where the ball ended up at City’s goalkeeper, leading to a penalty.
Silva was particularly critical of the team’s lack of maturity in handling the game’s final moments. “If minute 87 of a derby you’re winning 1-0, corner for your team, and the ball ends up at your keeper with a penalty for them, my friend, if you make these stupid decisions when it’s three or four minutes to go, you deserve to pay for that,” he said. He emphasized that such decisions—particularly in crucial moments—shouldn’t be happening at the professional level and likened their play to that of an Under-15 team.
The midfielder didn’t hold back in holding the entire team accountable, including his criticism of teammate Mattheus Nunes, who was responsible for conceding the penalty that equalized the game. While Silva acknowledged that Nunes was involved in the mistake, he extended the blame to the whole squad, suggesting that the team’s collective mindset and decision-making were the real problems.
Silva’s outburst underlines the growing frustration at Manchester City, with the team’s recent form falling well below expectations. His remarks serve as a harsh reminder of the high standards required at the top level, and they point to a deeper issue in the squad’s mentality, particularly in crucial moments of matches. Silva’s frustration, while harsh, reflects the disappointment of a team that has struggled to maintain its usual dominance in the Premier League this season.